Doncho won't try going long, heads to Lafayette Stakes

The connections of the exciting 3-year-old gelding Doncho evidently have dutifully been vaccinated against Derby Fever.

Doncho began his career Dec. 30 at Fair Grounds with a five-length maiden win over six furlongs that yielded a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. He returned Feb. 13 in a first-level allowance race over the same distance and won by 4 1/2 lengths with another 94 Beyer. Doncho’s trainer, Michelle Lovell, said the plan is to stretch Doncho out in distance, but only to seven furlongs in the $400,000 Lafayette Stakes April 5 at Keeneland.

Doncho, by Mo Town out of Sassy Redhead, by Henny Hughes, was purchased at a 2-year-old in training auction last March for $72,000 by Jose Lopez, a Puerto Rican businessman whose nom de course is JAL Racing. Lopez has declined to sell Doncho, preferring to campaign the gelding himself.

“The owner knows he doesn’t want to go a mile and a quarter. He wants him around awhile to enjoy him,” Lovell said.

Doncho was 21-1 in his debut, but an even-money shot in the recent allowance race. He was not asked for much in either blowout victory.

“He took the lead last time under wraps. He does it all so effortlessly,” said Lovell, who plans to breeze Doncho sometime this week. “The sky’s the limit right now. We’ve never had to press on him yet. Obviously, we will at some point.”

Lovell’s last exciting young prospect, 4-year-old Damon’s Mound, currently is getting a winter break at a Kentucky farm after finishing fourth Dec. 26 in the Grade 1 Malibu at Santa Anita. Damon’s Mound won the Grade 2 Saratoga Special at 2 and the Grade 2 Gallant Bob last September at 3. Lovell said Damon’s Mound soon would resume training at Churchill Downs.

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